Top 6 Universities in Nigeria

The Times Higher Education just released their World University Rankings for 2021 which includes more than 1,500 universities from 93 countries and regions. Sadly, only 6 universities from Nigeria made the list which is a clear indication of the lapses in the education system and the urgent need for a change.

Below are the universities that made the list.

1. University of Ibadan

The University of Ibadan (UI) is a public research university in Ibadan, Nigeria. UI was founded in 1948 as University College Ibadan, an affiliate college of the University of London. It became an independent university in 1963 and is the oldest degree awarding institution in Nigeria. Currently, UI comprises thirteen faculties, including Social Sciences, Agriculture and Forestry, Education, Veterinary Medicine, Technology, Law, Public Health and Dentistry. UI also offers Postgraduate studies, and their Postgraduate School is the largest in Africa. The famous UI zoological and botanical gardens which is located inside the school serves as a safe haven for endangered animals.

2. Lagos State University

Lagos State University, also known as LASU, was established in 1983 by the enabling Law of Lagos State of Nigeria. The university has three major campuses, namely: Ojo, Ukeja and Epe, with Ojo being the main campus. The university offers courses at Diploma, Undergraduate and Postgraduate levels. LASU is a non-residential university, and has over 35,000 students enrolled full time in courses at diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The university was ranked among the top 600 universities in the world and second in Nigeria by Times Higher Education World University Rankings for the year 2020.

3. University of Lagos

The University of Lagos, popularly known as UNILAG, is a public research university in Lagos, Nigeria. It is one of the five first generation universities in Nigeria and was founded in 1962. The University currently has three Campuses in the Mainland of Lagos, namely: Main Campus at Akoka (which is largely surrounded by the scenic view of the Lagos lagoon), the School of Radiography at Yaba, and its College of Medicine, at Idi-Araba, Surulere. Unilag offers over 86 undergraduate and 140 postgraduate programmes spread across twelve faculties and five Institutes. The University of Lagos currently admits over 9,000 Undergraduate students annually and enrolls over 57,000 students.

4. Covenant University

Covenant University is a private Pentecostal Christian University, which has been operating with official status since 2002 in Ota, Nigeria. The university has four colleges, mostly dedicated towards vocational studies: The College of Business and Social Sciences; College of Leadership and Development Studies; College of Engineering, and the College of Science and Technology. Covenant university is affiliated with Living Faith Church Worldwide and is a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities, Association of African Universities and National Universities Commission. In 2018, the Nigerian Universities Commission named it the best private university in Nigeria and the 6th best university overall, emphasizing the university’s rapid growth.

5. University of Nigeria

The University of Nigeria, commonly referred to as UNN, is a federal university located in Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria. Founded by Nnamdi Azikiwe in 1955 and formally opened on 7 October 1960. UNN has 102 academic departments across 15 faculties and offers 82 undergraduate programmes as well as 211 postgraduate programmes, all across four campuses. The campuses include Nsukka (Main campus), Enugu, and Ituku-Ozalla – all located in Enugu State and Aba campus in Abia State. UNNalso operates a Business School.

6. Obafemi Awolowo University

Obafemi Awolowo University, formerly known as University of Ife, is a federal government owned and operated university in the ancient city of Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. The university comprises of 13 faculties, which offer a range of undergraduate courses. There is also the postgraduate college and the College of Health Sciences.

Source: Times Higher Education